Typewriting machine



E B. HESS AND G. F. HANDLEY.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13, 1921.

1,421,083. Patented June 27, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Mar 23. H (1601 31: B Handle E. B. HESS AND-G. F. HANDLEY.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.13,1921.

1,421 ,083. Patented June 27, 19 22. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

55 w w R *9 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD B. HESS, OF NEW YORKQAND GEORGE F. HANDLEY, OF GLENDALE, NEW

, YORK, ASSIGNORS TO ROYAL TYPEWRITER COMPANY,

N. Y., A CORPORATION'OF NEW YORK.

INC., OF NEW YORK,

TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, EDWARD B. HEss, of Manhattan Beach, Kings County, New York, N. Y., and GEORGE F. HANDLEY, of

Glendale, Queens County, LI I., and State typewriting machines,,and particularly to the class of type actions in which toggle connections are made between the key levers and the type bars, such connections being so organized that the movement of the type bars is accelerated as the bars move towards the printing point; such actions are commonly used in the Standard Royal machines and are shown in "many prior patents, being illustrated, for instance, in Patent No. 1,084,- 587, of Jan. 13,1914, a

In such machines the movement of the key levers through flexing and accelerating connections causes the type to move in an arc of approximately 90 directly to the printing point while the type bars abut against a striking plate which serves to assist in stopping the movement of the type bars and to ease the intensity of the impact of; the type upon the platen. considerable noise is made when the type strike the platen and when the type bars impin e on the st-rikin plate.

In Ilnited States I atent No. 1,390,708, ranted Sept. 13, 1921, to Royal Typewriter ompany, Inc., as the assignee of Edward B. Hess, provision is made for eliminating the striking plate usually employed and a new way is shown, described and claimed for connecting the key levers with the type bars which is such that the depression of the keys will cause the type to be raisedpositively to a point in front of the platen and a considerable distance therefrom and thereafter to be moved into contact with the platen by the momentum of the type bars. This is done each time that a key is depressed and before it has commenced its return movement after depression. In this. way, while the type bars are carried upwardly with an accelerated movement this movement is arrested quickly before the type reach the platen while the momentum of the type bars obtained by this accelerated move- In such machines Specification of Letters Patent. Pat t d J 27 1922 Application filed September 13, 1921.

Serial No. 500,334.

ment causes the .type to impinge the platen with reduced force and consequent reduction in no se but with suflicient power to make clear impressions. These results are accomplished Without the use of striking plates or stops which have heretofore been a source of noise, and also there are no latches, separable parts or loose connections in the mechanism which would interfere with the positive and reliable operation thereof.

We have found that improved results are obtained if the connect-ions between the key levers and the type bars be made at different points on the heels of the type bars. Inasmuch as the invention is preferably applied to a vertically arranged type bar segment and inasmuch as the type bars normally lie, when at rest, in a substantially horizontal position and are connected to key levers also arranged horizontally, it has been found desirable, in order to bring all the type bars the same distance from the print- 1ng point at the beginning of the momentum period, to make the connections between the key levers and the type bars at different points on the heels'of the type bars. Thus the type bars in the middle or central portion of the series are connected to the actuating mechanism at certainpoints relatively to the pivots of the type bars While the type bars on opposite sides of the central bars are connected at different points. In this way the type bars are all brought by substantially uniform touch of the keys first to a substantially uniform position in front of the platen and then by momentum of the type bars are carried to the printing point. By this arrangement not only is noise greatly reduced, but the force of the impact of the type bars on the platen is made substantially uniform.

Another feature of the invention is that by this uniform actuationof the type bars a uniform or substantiall uniform actuation of the universal bar is obtained.

In the accompanying drawin s Figurelis a view, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, of port-ions of a typewriting machine embodying our improvements. This figure of the drawings is largely diagrammatic, many parts of the machine not necessarily concerned with the present invention being omitted.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are views of the rear are pivotally connected at ends of type bars located respectively in the central portion of the machine, in portions of the machine on opposite sides of the center and in the end portions of the machine.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic View from the underside of the machine, showing a complete set of 42 type bars mounted in a segment, according to our invention the heels of the type bars being shown in section.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view, showing another Way in which the connections between the heels of the type bars and the actuating mechanism may be made.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Flg. 6, showing another modified way of connecting the heels of the type bars to their actuating mechanism.

In Fig. 1, parts of a typewriter carriage are indicated at A and B indicates the platen. A universal bar is shown at C and a type bar segment at D. F indicates a type bar guide. The type bars Gr have secured to their free ends type blocks G for carrying upper and lower case printing characters and these type bars are formed with heels 9, which are pivotally mounted at d in the type bar segment in the usual way. The type bars extend forwardly from their pivots as usual, their front or typecarrying ends being normally supported by a type bar rest H. The heels of the type bars are connected by links I with the uni versal bar C, and the return springs J of the type bars are connected to pendant clips 7' attached to the forward ends of the links I and to the rear support K. The key levers are pivotally mounted at their rear ends in a support M carrying an overhanging dust-shed N and these levers are normally pulled against a cushioned stop 0 by light springs P extending from the front of the shed to the key levers and connected therewith a short distance in front of their pivots. By adjusting the position of the shed vertically the tension of the springs may be collectively varied. No stops are employed to arrest the downward movement of the levers, this downward movement being cushioned in a manner hereinafter explained. The front links Q, with a support R, as heretofore, and each link is connected by a pull rod on n11 link S with a heel of a type bar. Eac link is connected with the key lever L by a link T, in the usual way.

Most of the features above described and shown in the accompanying drawings are the sole invention of Edward B. Hess, the novel features of our joint invention are hereinafter explained.

It will be observed, by reference to the drawings, that instead of connecting the rear ends of the links 8 with the heels of v 1 ,421,0ea

the type bar was moved with increasing ve-' locity all the way to the platen which it struck with considerable force, producing considerable noise. In the new arrangement the connections between the pull link and the type bar is such as it traverses an arc which is inclined forwardly and upwardly and the connections are such, as before stated, as to cause the type bars to move not all the way to the platen but to a position in front of the platen, the further movement of the type bars to the platen bev ing caused by the momentum of the bars. These features just described are all shown, described and claimed in the application of E. B. Hess, filed July 1, 1921 above referred to.

It will be observed, by reference to the drawings, that when a key is depressed to its greatest extent the pull link S is moved until its point of connection with the heel of the type bar assumes a position in a direct line between the type bar pivot and the point of connection 8 with the link Q, this operation moving the type bar to the position shown at G, Fig. 1. This is as far as the type bar is positively moved by the key but the momentum of the type bar carries it further until the point of connection between thelink S and the type bar assumes the position shown by dotted line a: in Fig. 1 and the type bar assumes the dotted position shown in Fig. 1.

Inasmuch as the type bars are mounted in a segment which is arranged vertically, and as the key levers are all arranged horizontally inthe keyboard, the connections between the key levers and the type bars vary. We have found that in order to properly move the type bars to accomplish the desired results and to at the same time obtain an equalized movement of the bars and to bring them at the beginning of the momentum period to substantially the same distance from the printing point, the connections between .the pull links and the heels of the type bars should be varied, and we have found that the desired results may be obtained by placing the connections of the central type bars and pull links substantially in avertical plane below their pivots and by placing such connection in the remaining bars at some distance to the rear of said vertical plane. There are various wa s in which this can be done. One

way is i lustrated diagrammatically in Fig.

5 where a complete set of type bars is shown associated with a type bar segment. (1 indicates the pivot rod for the type bars. -The curved line 3 indicates the points of board containing 42 keys the 22 type bars in the central portion of the machine ma have the points of connections with the pu links all made in substantially the same po-- sitions, directly under the pivots, while the 11 keys on opposite sides of the central ones should have these connecting points carrled to the rear slightly, as indicated. In any case, s me of the-bars at the; central portion 0 the machine have their points of connections with the pull links beneath the type bar pivots, while some of the bars on opposite sides of the central portlon of the machine have these .connections carried rearwards slightly.

Another arrangement 1s shown diagram- 'matically in Fig. 7 In this figure w indicates the pivot line and the points of connections of the type bars to the pull links as indicated at 2 inFig. 7 It will be observed that the lines 2, while in line with each other, are dis osed slightly in rear of theline 7, while t e lines 3, which are in line with each other, are slightly behind the lines 1 and 2.

' The manner 1n wh1ch the connectlons are made, in accordance with the scheme shown in Fig. 7, is also indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and a where it will be observed that the point ,of connection 1 for a central bar is directly below the type bar pivot. The point of connection to an end bar is disposed at a considerable angle to a vertical line passing through the type bar pivot, while the point of connection to an intermediate bar is at a sli htl reduced angle. 4

is described in the application of E. B.

Hess of July 1, 1921, the connections from the type bars to the universal bar are such that the universal bar is actuated during the momentum period of the type bars; that is, during the time that the type bars accomplish the last part of their excursion to the platen. By our present improvements we have made provision for a uniform actuation of the universal bar; that is to say, one type 'bar in the series acts upon the universal bar in substantially the same mannet as all the others and at substantially the same time in its movement as all the others. This-uniformity of operation of the universal bar in connection with the noise-reducing features of the type bar connections is an important feature of the invention.

The invention jointly made by us relates to the arrangement of the points of connection between the" type -bar-actuating mechanism and the type bars, all other features of the invention herein shown, described and claimed being shown in the application of E. B. Hess above referred to.

Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, as before stated, is largely diagrammatic.- Three type bars are shown, one at the middle of the series in a normal, horizontal position, an adjoining one in the position a type vbar assumes at the commencement of the momentum period, and a third at the end of the series in a horizontal position. The type bar shown by dotted lines is the same as the second type bar above referred to.

We claim as our invention r 1. In a typewriting machine a series of type bars havin their pivots disposed in t e same vertica plane and a series of key levers link-connected with the type bars, some of'said links being connected with the type bars at chosen points in the middle of the series and other'type bars, on opposite sides of the middle ones, being connected with the links at points in rear of the linkconnections at the middle of the series and each of said type bars being moved by the de ression of its associated key lever to so stantially the same predetermined position in front of the platen and at a considerable distance therefrom, the further movement of each of said type bars from said predetermined position to the platen being caused by its momentum.

2. Ina typewriting machine a series of type bars, a series of key levers and a plurality of links connecting each type bar with an associated key lever, some of said links being connected with the key levers and with the associated'type bars at chosen points in the middle of the series and other type bars, on opposite sides of the middle ones, being connected with the links at different points in rear of the connections at the middle of the series and each of said type bars being &

moved by the depression of its associated key lever to substantially the same predeter minedposition in front of the platen and at a considerable distance therefrom, the further movement of each of said type bars from said predetermined position to the platen being caused'by its momentum.

3. In a typewritin machine, a s'eriesof typebars, a series of key levers, and type actions interposedbetween the keys and the type bars, comprising toggle links movable to such an extent by the depression of the keys as to move the type bars to a togglelocking position in front of the platen and at such a distance therefrom as to reduce noise during the further movement of the type to the platen caused by the momentum of the type bars, said connections between the key levers and the type barsbeing made at; certain points to the middle bars of the series, and at other points to the type bars on4op2posite sides of the middle ones.

period a short return movement is given to the key levers, the connections between said toggle links and the type bars being made at certain points to the middle bars and at different oints to the bars on opposite sides of the mi dle ones.

5. A noise-reducing type, action for typewriting machines comprtsmg toggle link con- ,nections between the type bars and the key levers movable to such an extent by the full .type bars tothe platen caused .b

depression of the keys as to move the type bars to a position in frontof the platen and 45.

at such a distance therefrom as to reduce noise during the further movement of the the momentum thereof, said links at t e middle portion of the machine being connected to the heels of the type bars immediately beneath the type bar pivots while the heels of the type bars on opposite sides of the central ones are connected to the links in rear of the vertical plane of the type bar pivots.

6. In a typewriting machine a vertically arranged type bar segment, a series of type bars normally arranged horizontally, a series of horizontally arranged keylevers, and type actions interposed between the keys and t e type bar's comprising links movable to such an extent by the depression of the keys as to move the type bars to a position in front of the platen and at such a distance therefrom as to reduce noise during the further movement of the type bars about their pivots to the platen caused by the mo mentum of the type bars, said connections between the key levers and the type bars being made at certain points to the, middle bars of the series, at other points to the end bars, and at still other oints to the type bars intermediate the mi dle and the end ones.

7. In a typewriting machine the combination with a universal bar and a noisereducing type action, comprisin'g'link connections between the type bars and the key levers movable to such an extentby the full depression of the keys as tomove the type bars to a position-in front of the platen and at such a distance therefrom as to .reduce noise during the further movement of the type to the platen caused by the momentum of the type bars, said links at the middle portion of the machine being connected to the heels of the type bars below their pivots while the heels of the type bars on opposite sides of the middle ones are connected to the links in a plane in rear of the vertical plane of the type bar pivots, and connections between the type bars and the universal bar for operating said universal bar during the momentum period of thetype bars.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names;

EDWARD B. HESS. GEORGE F. HANDLEY'. 

